First Look: Jason Momoa as Conan the Barbarian Official Photo

Ooooh it's… Conan. The first official photo of actor Jason Momoa ("Baywatch", "North Shore", "Stargate: Atlantis") as the legendary Conan the Barbarian in Marcus Nispel's Conan has been found on the site for Nu Boyana Film Studios (via ScreenRant). It's not much, it's actually even less than the Thor first look. It's pretty much just a shot of a buffed up Jason Momoa with some epicly long hair and that's about it; you can barely make out the stairs behind him, but I want to see more from this first! The good news is that it looks like this guy has almost as much muscle as Arnold did in his movie. So check it out then speak your mind!

In addition to Momoa, Conan stars Ron Perlman as Corin, Stephen Lang as Khalar Zym, Rachel Nichols as Tamara, Rose McGowan as Marique (instead of Red Sonja?) and Saïd Taghmaoui. This is being directed by Marcus Nispel of the Friday the 13th remake, that atrocity Pathfinder, the other Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, and a bunch of music videos. It's a Nu Image / Millennium Films production co-produced by Avi Lerner and Joe Gatta and was based on the classic Robert E. Howard characters which first debuted in 1932 in Weird Tales. Lionsgate is bringing Conan to theaters sometime in 2011, but hasn't set a release date yet.

Reader Feedback - 70 Comments

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO don't tell me you still haven't gotten out of the closet.......................It is a MOVIE what does GAY has to do with itttttttttttttt.

Liza1017 on Mar 26, 2011

5

All this Gay SHIT I HEAR is getting me sick I am sigining out.........Grow up............This about a good action packed actor..... give him a break............

Liza1017 on Mar 26, 2011

6

Gay?
"On July 23, 2007, Lisa Bonet gave birth to their daughter, Lola Iolani Momoa. On December 15, 2008, Bonet and Momoa had a son, Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa"
hmmmmmmm doesn't sound like he's gay to me. Could you just be a tad jealous, Matt? As far a females are concerned, Jason Momoa is HOT!!!

Sandye on Apr 26, 2011

7

Momoa looks even bigger than his time on Stargate Atlantis. Crazy. Miss the beard though...

David on Jun 21, 2010

8

well I think it looks good I might give this movie a chance depending on the soundtrack.

hater on Jun 21, 2010

9

The muscle on his arm is DEFINITELY heavy makeup.....i dont doubt his size, but is he anywhere close to Mr.Olympia......HELL no. If anything it looks like a sham conan mock up. There are a lot of better actors, with the same build as arnold, who would have better filled the role.

Anonymous on Jun 21, 2010

10

Conan in the books was not a muscle bound steroid freak, but was wicked fast as well as strong. I go to the gym and have squatted 405 for 20 reps and 225 for 23 on bench, so I know what I am talking about. Bodybuilders are slow and a muscle cannot contract to a length shorter than its maximum width.You want a warrior as mean as Conan of literature, you need someone thinner than Arnold. Arnold was a terrible Conan.
Also, Conan of literature was a polyglot with a lot of alchemical training whose superior intelligence was beyond question. Again, Arnold was a horrible choice for such a character.

It's amazing the the care and balance this Conan dedicates to maintaining healthy looking hair.

Baron the Curse on Jun 21, 2010

15

Why did they change his hair? Didn't he have locks? Is Pantene/L'Oreal hair more Conan-like than his regular 'do?

laurel on Jun 21, 2010

16

"Rose McGowan as Marique (instead of Red Sonja?)"
The Conan and Red Sonja trademarks are owned by two different companies. Although they both shared the same comics during their time at Marvel, there's no more likelihood of Red Sonja appearing in Conan (or Conan appearing in Red Sonja) than Batman has of turning up in The Avengers.

Pathfinder was a very good flick and you have no taste, yeah and his head might be about the size of Arnies arms back then but definitely not his arms, Arnie would pick his teeth with those scrawny things.

Jimmy Love on Jun 21, 2010

26

You tell 'em man!

Conan Fan on Feb 14, 2011

27

Where is Conan in these pics? I just see a skinny tan dude with long hair

JimD on Jun 22, 2010

28

Well, he doesn't look terrible. But if you asked me, I definitely would have gone with Javier Bardem. I see him more as Conan than this guy. He seems a little too fresh-faced. We'll see how it goes...

Icefilm on Jun 22, 2010

29

Bardem has the face for Conan, kinda remeniscent of a Frazetta painting, but I doubt he's anywhere near in shape for it.

Conan Fan on Feb 14, 2011

30

liza1017
I have followed him on Stargate Atlantis and he can give us what we all are looking for and that is action packed adventure.
I KNOW HE WILL NOT DISAPPOINT US.........................
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0 minutes ago
liza1017
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I am very happy that Mr. Momoa will be Conan thank you for that and for bad mouthing him before he can show us what he can
delivery that is so wrong many great actors have started in C movies an look at them now. Let's give him a chance.
Like Reply

Liza10179 on Mar 26, 2011

31

Arnold looked nothing like Conan Momoa looks more like Conan than Arnold ever did

Loser on Jun 22, 2010

32

Yes because Conan is a Hawiian islander with naturally brown skin. Sarcasm thick enough for you Loser?

Conan Fan on Feb 14, 2011

33

I don't want to pass judgment on a film that hasn't even been released yet, but I am not feeling that look. One should not suspect Conan the Barbarian of having stank hair extensions.

I like the broadsword, and the fact he is wearingf some chain mail (see actionshots in posts)it looks trie to R.E.H; I hated the Arnie Conan as a purist, this looks like it has potential without being campy.......and Conan only had a beard when he became King.

In all Honesty he looks like a young, watered-down Kevin Nash. Not Buff as Arnold (as described) but that's okay.... I'll hold out for the trailer.

Neva Evah on Jun 22, 2010

42

It looks abit Camp.

Cineprog on Jun 22, 2010

43

Almost as much muscle as Arnold??? Seriously Alex? Arnold was in Mr Olympia shape when he did these films, this guy couldn't finish in the top 5 in an amatuer body building competition!

Cmurder on Jun 22, 2010

44

Is that Conan or a Chipendales dancer? I might have gone for it if he was holding a sword and had some gauntlets or something, but then again that might have just enhanced the Gay. Conan is beaten, grizzled, a blunt insturment, someone like Randy Couture. This dude looks like a model.

Eric on Jun 22, 2010

45

What's up with this gay SHIT give it a break. Why are you and that worries you? He is an ACTOR and needs a chance................Get over it.

Liza1017 on Mar 26, 2011

46

I recall seeing this guy in SG-Atlantis, and his fighting style is fantastic. He's got the same scowl as Arnie, but with more depth as this guy can actually act. Arnie is great in the roles of Conan, Terminator, Predator, but in anything else he's been pretty lame tbh, and your kidding yourself if you think he's a good actor.
This this guy a chance.

Steven on Jun 22, 2010

47

THANK YOU THANK YOU........................for saying to give Momoa a chance, about Arnold that's another story on acting..............

Liza1017 on Mar 26, 2011

48

Also, what is with the camp and model remarks, this is just one photo!
He's been seen on SG-Atlantis all beaten up and rough, as I'm sure he'll have scenes of a similair nature in Conan.

Steven on Jun 22, 2010

49

Arnie would have fucked him up back in the day

tom on Jun 22, 2010

50

Yeah only is you put a shotgun in his hand
Arnie could hardly move let alone chace someone down

Bob on Jun 14, 2011

51

THIS IS THE BEST CONAN WE CAN GET?!? looks f'n GAY!

thejugfather on Jun 22, 2010

52

If this movie isn't R-rated, forget it.

casting couch on Jun 22, 2010

53

HAHA... he looks pretty tiny and just fugly. One of the movie again shouldnt remake.. Goosshh
#40.. F**K yea i argee.

is this The Conan everybody is "wow"ing about???
i was trying to be neutral about it
i have stated that he was not a good cast from what i had followed from his SG series but was willing to keep my final decision till i saw at least a trailer, but all those shots of Mamoa just doesnt feel like conan 🙁
and with each new so called "awesome" pic i am getting a bit closer to make my final decision and it is not gonna be a favorable one from the looks of it 🙁
of course you might disagree.. but he is just not filling the shoes/image/expectation, you name it.. they are at least 4/5 sizes bigger than he can deliver 🙁

you all are giveing Arnold way to much credit. he cant act and cant speak english.

max on Oct 5, 2010

57

typically I would just want to tell you to shut the F up but that isn't much in the spirit of debate.
Arnold speaks english fluently but has a thick accent, much like any foreign actor. How many languages do you speak? He speaks english better than Jackie Chan, but Chan is asian so no one cares if he has a thick accent because its part of his appeal.
Is Arny the greatest actor ever? No. But if you look at his earliest work, then look at his mid to late career you will note that he has probably improved his skills as an actor more dramatically than any other star in Hollywood while other supposedly great action stars (Van Damn, Steven Segal, Chuck Norris) have never changed. In fact Segal's voice has never even changed pitch! By the way, I like Van Damn and Chuch Norris movies.
And as far as Alex Billington saying that Momoa has almost as much muscle as Arnold did for his Conan, well you can't stress the almost enough can you? Momoa probably has less muscle than Arnold does now, though I wouldn't mind looking like him.

Conan Fan on Feb 14, 2011

58

We are talking about Conan "the Barbarian" here. By definition, a barbarian is an outsider. In that context, Arnold's accent makes perfect sense. Understanding the character of Conan, Arnold changed his physique to fit the role. He lost weight, going from his prime competition weight of 240lbs. down to under 210lbs., reasoning that due to Conan's lifestyle, missing a few meals was common. Arnold had the best chest in bodybuilding at the time and the best biceps of all time, but he trimmed down his chest and biceps and worked to emphasize his shoulders, triceps, and back to depict a laborer rather than Mr. Olympia. Say what you will about Arnold's acting chops, he knew how to physically prepare for a role, and he didn't need a fancy Hollywood personal trainer to do it.
Still, the artist who painted those iconic Conan book covers, the late Frank Frazetta, once commented that Arnold was too pretty to play Conan. He said the Cimmerian led a hard life and should look like a bare-knuckle boxer, not a bodybuilder. Well, if Arnold was too pretty, I wonder what Frazetta would have said about Mr. Momoa. I myself will reserve judgement until I've seen the movie. Jason Momoa has more acting experience than Arnold did when he starred in the original, and Momoa has an intensity that would fit the young Conan character very well.

RodD. on Apr 12, 2011

59

I racial mongrel playing Conan. Typical of how everything has to get multiculturalized by Hollyweird these days. The character Conan was a person of Northern European race in the original Howard books.

No on Apr 13, 2011

60

A point of clarification: Robert E. Howard set his Conan novels in the Hyborian age, the fictional time between the sinking of Atlantis and the Great Flood. The key word here is "fictional." In Howard's universe, there was no Europe, northern or otherwise. As do most great writers of fiction, Howard created in great detail the setting of his tales. As to Conan being portrayed by a "racial mongrel" as you put it, Howard himself answered that question in his own words in the Centenary Edition: The Complete Chronicles of Conan on page 5: "Tribes of tawny-haired Hyborians have moved southward and westward, conquering and destroying many of the small unclassified clans. Absorbing he blood of conquered races, already the descendants of the of the older drifts have begun to show modified racial traits..." Howard knew that there is no such thing as completely "pure blood" as advancing armies absorb those they conquer. Though Howard described the Cimmerians as keeping their "bloodstream pure," the Cimmerians were according to Howard descendants of the Atlanteans who were themselves part of this antediluvian diaspora. Further, Howard describes Cimmerians as "tall and powerful with dark hair and blue or grey eyes." In the Marvel comics, Conan himself is described in issue #1 as even darker than that as the narration states: "And foremost among the skirmishing, roaring barbarians is one with locks of darkest JET" (author's emphasis), and "...nor do his night-dark eyes view the scene below with favor..." It seems, even in this completely fictional universe, the idea of racial purity is ultimately fantasy (an irony, since Conan is classified as fantasy genre). Unless you are somehow unlike the vast majority of the planet, and your ancestors never conquered or were never conquered by another country, or left their homeland (if you are in the United States, it is certain your ancestors did in fact leave their homeland), or owned slaves or were enslaved by others, you, Mr. No, are certainly not pure either. We are all "racial mongrel(s)."

RodD. on Apr 14, 2011

61

I hope they do a better job this time. Arnolds Conan was a joke. Conan never cried and loved to kill. Enjoyed battle to the fullest and never ran from anything. Howards Conan was the baddest of the bad and i hope they get it right this time.

I think before anyone can comment, they need to watch how agile and athletic Jason Momoa really is. He is of Hawaiian, German and Irish heritage; and is a very talented actor. Although Arnold was definitely bulky, he was not agile and moves like he is constipated. I believe Jason Momoa will rock as Conan.

Michele on May 29, 2011

66

Conan in the books was not a muscle bound steroid freak, but was wicked fast as well as strong. I go to the gym and have squatted 405 for 20 reps and 225 for 23 on bench, so I know what I am talking about. Bodybuilders are slow and a muscle cannot contract to a length shorter than its maximum width.You want a warrior as mean as Conan of literature, you need someone thinner than Arnold. Arnold was a terrible Conan.
Also, Conan of literature was a polyglot with a lot of alchemical training whose superior intelligence was beyond question. Again, Arnold was a horrible choice for such a character.
I think this fellow will do just fine as Conan.

The only good part about the Conan with Arnold was the beginning... before he even showed up. The music, the fight, that was epic. I repeatedly watch the opening scenes when Conan's village gets attacked... and that's enough.
The trailers for this look very "flashy" and Jason is doing a very decent job as Kal Drago - so I have high hopes. Plus, I like his comment about wanting to look like a Frank Frazetta painting. Nice throw-out to the master (although I perfer Ken Kelly's Conan).

SavageHawk on Jun 4, 2011

68

omg! I remember Jasons first appearance on Stargate Atlantis... OUCH! Sexiest grren eyes & dreads I've ever...
can't wait for Conan! I was @ the premier for the first one; I think Jason has found his niche!

Jypsyrose on Jun 13, 2011

69

Actually his first appearance was in a show called north shore on fox, they canceled it after 16 episodes if i remember right. He was a Hawaiian bartender/ bar owner named Frankie. That's when i first noticed him. He was the only reason i watched the show, and I'm pretty sure i was the only one that watched it. 🙂

Nat on Jun 16, 2011

70

This man will bring a depth to the character that Arnie was never capable of. He rocked as Khal Drogo and added layers to what I expected to be a "one note" brutish character at the onset. I can't wait to see this.